Are no-kill shelters humane? Some dogs unadoptable, dangerous to volunteers
By Celia Gilner For the Journal-Constitution
Our Pal's Place, a no-kill dog adoption facility in Marietta, was recently featured in the AJC about its fund-raising drive, the "million penny campaign." Sniffles, a dog at the shelter who was euthanized after suffering numerous health problems, has also been in the news.
Undoubtedly, no-kill shelters including Our Pal's Place do a tremendous amount of good by finding homes for terrific dogs that would have been euthanized. But, as illustrated by Sniffles, there are times when it is appropriate to put a dog to sleep.
Our Pal's Place is dependent on volunteers to feed and care for its 15-plus dogs and puppies. I was a volunteer for more than a year and took pride in the care we gave on limited funds.
During orientation, we were told to use a plastic garbage can lid and a spray that has repeatedly been ineffective to break up dogfights. With experience as a registered nurse, boarding horses for more than 30 years and having various pets all my life, I am safety-conscious and would never interact with Lucy or Brinks, two dogs who have been at the facility for more than two years and have repeatedly attacked both dogs and people. Read More
There has been a big push to make animal shelters become no-kill facilities, in other words they won’t euthanize any animals. However, there are times when that is necessary and these shelters will no longer have that option. It seems that some people would rather send a dangerous animal to a home with kids than have it put down.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Oprah and Friends
Jeff Reinartz: Oprah and PETA on the same team? Scary stuff
6/28/2008 8:41:12 AM
Comments (6)
Listen up Austin, we have a problem, and it threatens to jeopardize our way of life, our very existence. We must remain strong. We must remain vigilant. We must stick together and stand tall in the face of ... vegetarians?
Well, not all vegetarians. That wouldn't be fair. I'm referring to certain groups of vegetarians that would have you believe that if you don't allow them to force you to adopt their lifestyle, that you're somehow morally and ethically careless.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is one such group. PETA is an organization of militant vegetarians who envision a world where an end has been put to the production of meat and the world subsists on a diet of rabbit food, presumably not tomatoes.
Apparently frustrated in their efforts, now they're even attempting to tie their cause to what I call the global warming myth, suddenly making meat manufacturers the number one producer of CO2 and the bellwether in the march toward this inevitable, horrifying calamity. In other words, if you eat meat then you don't care about animals, you don't care about the planet and global warming is your fault, you gluttonous carnivores. Read More
Oprah’s attempt at a vegan diet turned out to be quite difficult for her. As always, it comes back to eating a balanced diet. Her dieting adventures over the years have been well documented, and hopefully she has realized that eating a vegan diet will not make you or the environment any healthier.
6/28/2008 8:41:12 AM
Comments (6)
Listen up Austin, we have a problem, and it threatens to jeopardize our way of life, our very existence. We must remain strong. We must remain vigilant. We must stick together and stand tall in the face of ... vegetarians?
Well, not all vegetarians. That wouldn't be fair. I'm referring to certain groups of vegetarians that would have you believe that if you don't allow them to force you to adopt their lifestyle, that you're somehow morally and ethically careless.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is one such group. PETA is an organization of militant vegetarians who envision a world where an end has been put to the production of meat and the world subsists on a diet of rabbit food, presumably not tomatoes.
Apparently frustrated in their efforts, now they're even attempting to tie their cause to what I call the global warming myth, suddenly making meat manufacturers the number one producer of CO2 and the bellwether in the march toward this inevitable, horrifying calamity. In other words, if you eat meat then you don't care about animals, you don't care about the planet and global warming is your fault, you gluttonous carnivores. Read More
Oprah’s attempt at a vegan diet turned out to be quite difficult for her. As always, it comes back to eating a balanced diet. Her dieting adventures over the years have been well documented, and hopefully she has realized that eating a vegan diet will not make you or the environment any healthier.
Sharing Ag's Story
A chance to tell agriculture’s story
In August 2005 the Stephenson County Farm Bureau had a unique opportunity to share the important message of agriculture’s relevance in our world to a special audience. On that sunny Saturday we brought our “adopted” legislator State Senator Edward Maloney (D-18th) and a busload of his constituents from the south side of Chicago and neighboring suburbs, for a day of education and rural hospitality in Stephenson County. The group visited Scheidairy Farms near Freeport, Bremmer Farms at Pearl City (where they enjoyed a delicious country lunch, petting zoo, and tour), and Adkins Energy Ethanol near Lena. Among those enjoying the day were the retired chief of the Chicago Fire Department and the assistant state’s attorney for Cook County. Read More
I always enjoy sharing the stories of how people are promoting agriculture in their area. The Stephenson Co. Farm Bureau in Illinois have enjoyed some great success with the bus tours of local farms. Congratulations to them for telling the story of agriculture!
In August 2005 the Stephenson County Farm Bureau had a unique opportunity to share the important message of agriculture’s relevance in our world to a special audience. On that sunny Saturday we brought our “adopted” legislator State Senator Edward Maloney (D-18th) and a busload of his constituents from the south side of Chicago and neighboring suburbs, for a day of education and rural hospitality in Stephenson County. The group visited Scheidairy Farms near Freeport, Bremmer Farms at Pearl City (where they enjoyed a delicious country lunch, petting zoo, and tour), and Adkins Energy Ethanol near Lena. Among those enjoying the day were the retired chief of the Chicago Fire Department and the assistant state’s attorney for Cook County. Read More
I always enjoy sharing the stories of how people are promoting agriculture in their area. The Stephenson Co. Farm Bureau in Illinois have enjoyed some great success with the bus tours of local farms. Congratulations to them for telling the story of agriculture!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Milk Does a Body Good
The Science Is In: Drink Your Milk!
Thanks to researchers at the University of Illinois, activist-driven smear campaigns against milk and meat hit a major bump in the road this week. Contradicting what the animal rights clan has been claiming in recent years, a study published in this month’s Journal of Nutrition shows that milk still does a body good. And this latest evidence proves that the 1970s-era science cited by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is as old and antiquated as lava lamps and leisure suits.
In a futile attempt to get everyone to stop drinking milk, PETA and PCRM have been perpetuating the claim that diets in animal-based proteins actually suck calcium from our bones. PETA promotes the idea that drinking milk "can cause people to excrete calcium through their urine and increase their risk of osteoporosis." And PCRM blindly insists that milk should be yanked from school lunches because "consuming too much protein causes calcium to be pulled from the bones and excreted through urine." Read More
Another study has determined that drinking milk is good for you. It’s highly doubtful that this will stop those that are trying to eliminate animal agriculture, but science has one again proven that mom was right when she told us to drink our milk.
Thanks to researchers at the University of Illinois, activist-driven smear campaigns against milk and meat hit a major bump in the road this week. Contradicting what the animal rights clan has been claiming in recent years, a study published in this month’s Journal of Nutrition shows that milk still does a body good. And this latest evidence proves that the 1970s-era science cited by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is as old and antiquated as lava lamps and leisure suits.
In a futile attempt to get everyone to stop drinking milk, PETA and PCRM have been perpetuating the claim that diets in animal-based proteins actually suck calcium from our bones. PETA promotes the idea that drinking milk "can cause people to excrete calcium through their urine and increase their risk of osteoporosis." And PCRM blindly insists that milk should be yanked from school lunches because "consuming too much protein causes calcium to be pulled from the bones and excreted through urine." Read More
Another study has determined that drinking milk is good for you. It’s highly doubtful that this will stop those that are trying to eliminate animal agriculture, but science has one again proven that mom was right when she told us to drink our milk.
The "Rocking" Tree Farmer
AFB: Rolling Stones Rocker Calls for More Agriculture & Nature Education
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 25, 2008 — Today’s children are increasingly disconnected from the natural world and schools can play a big role in fixing this. That’s the message Chuck Leavell, Rolling Stones keyboardist, shared during his keynote address at the Ag in the Classroom conference in Costa Mesa, Calif., this week. Leavell addressed the teachers present not as a musician but as a Georgia tree farmer and the author of the 2007 American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture Book of the Year The Tree Farmer.
Leavell told the group of more than 500 attendees he wrote his book in response to what he calls “nature-deficit disorder,” where younger generations don’t understand or appreciate nature and agriculture. He adds that classrooms are the ideal place to fix this but teachers are facing increased pressure to teach towards standardized tests.
“Programs like Ag in the Classroom and the American Forest Foundation’s Project Learning Tree help educators make outdoor experiences part of their everyday lesson plans,” Leavell said. “They teach core subjects through experiences in nature and show that learning through environmental education is not incompatible with math and reading instruction.” He adds that this method has also been shown to improve test scores.
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 25, 2008 — Today’s children are increasingly disconnected from the natural world and schools can play a big role in fixing this. That’s the message Chuck Leavell, Rolling Stones keyboardist, shared during his keynote address at the Ag in the Classroom conference in Costa Mesa, Calif., this week. Leavell addressed the teachers present not as a musician but as a Georgia tree farmer and the author of the 2007 American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture Book of the Year The Tree Farmer.
Leavell told the group of more than 500 attendees he wrote his book in response to what he calls “nature-deficit disorder,” where younger generations don’t understand or appreciate nature and agriculture. He adds that classrooms are the ideal place to fix this but teachers are facing increased pressure to teach towards standardized tests.
“Programs like Ag in the Classroom and the American Forest Foundation’s Project Learning Tree help educators make outdoor experiences part of their everyday lesson plans,” Leavell said. “They teach core subjects through experiences in nature and show that learning through environmental education is not incompatible with math and reading instruction.” He adds that this method has also been shown to improve test scores.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
More Allegations of Abuse
Humane Society releases video of cattle being abused
By Greg Toppo, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — The group whose undercover slaughterhouse video prompted the largest beef recall in U.S. history in February alleged on Wednesday that cattle continue to be abused, this time at livestock auctions.
The Humane Society of the United States, an animal rights group, said a new investigation discovered dairy cattle being abused in May at a livestock auction in New Mexico. The group said an investigator watched three cows and calves "being mistreated and tormented in order to get them to stand and walk" into an auction ring in Portales. The group said state inspectors "were present at the auctions and apparently saw much of the abuse."
At the group's headquarters, president Wayne Pacelle played for reporters a short video that showed a stockyard worker kicking a cow, another cow struggling to pull itself forward by its front legs and another being dragged by a hind leg with a chain attached to a Bobcat-type tractor.
A meat industry trade association condemned the handling practices shown in the video, calling them "simply inexplicable." Read More
The release of another video showing sale barn workers mis-handling livestock serves as yet another reminder that HSUS will continue to try eliminating animal agriculture by searching all over the United States for these isolated cases. The actions taken by these employees cannot be defended which is why everyone of us involved in animal agriculture need to do our part to make sure no more videos get released.
By Greg Toppo, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — The group whose undercover slaughterhouse video prompted the largest beef recall in U.S. history in February alleged on Wednesday that cattle continue to be abused, this time at livestock auctions.
The Humane Society of the United States, an animal rights group, said a new investigation discovered dairy cattle being abused in May at a livestock auction in New Mexico. The group said an investigator watched three cows and calves "being mistreated and tormented in order to get them to stand and walk" into an auction ring in Portales. The group said state inspectors "were present at the auctions and apparently saw much of the abuse."
At the group's headquarters, president Wayne Pacelle played for reporters a short video that showed a stockyard worker kicking a cow, another cow struggling to pull itself forward by its front legs and another being dragged by a hind leg with a chain attached to a Bobcat-type tractor.
A meat industry trade association condemned the handling practices shown in the video, calling them "simply inexplicable." Read More
The release of another video showing sale barn workers mis-handling livestock serves as yet another reminder that HSUS will continue to try eliminating animal agriculture by searching all over the United States for these isolated cases. The actions taken by these employees cannot be defended which is why everyone of us involved in animal agriculture need to do our part to make sure no more videos get released.
Spain Takes the Plunge
Spanish parliament to extend rights to apes
Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:27pm EDT
By Martin Roberts
MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's parliament voiced its support on Wednesday for the rights of great apes to life and freedom in what will apparently be the first time any national legislature has called for such rights for non-humans.
Parliament's environmental committee approved resolutions urging Spain to comply with the Great Apes Project, devised by scientists and philosophers who say our closest genetic relatives deserve rights hitherto limited to humans.
"This is a historic day in the struggle for animal rights and in defense of our evolutionary comrades, which will doubtless go down in the history of humanity," said Pedro Pozas, Spanish director of the Great Apes Project. Read More
Spain has become the first nation to plunge off the cliff and grant human rights to apes. They use the logic that since they are “almost” human, they should be granted these rights. This is ridiculous, “almost” and “pretty close” shouldn’t cut it. I would hope that since these apes have been granted these rights that they will also start contributing to human society.
Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:27pm EDT
By Martin Roberts
MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's parliament voiced its support on Wednesday for the rights of great apes to life and freedom in what will apparently be the first time any national legislature has called for such rights for non-humans.
Parliament's environmental committee approved resolutions urging Spain to comply with the Great Apes Project, devised by scientists and philosophers who say our closest genetic relatives deserve rights hitherto limited to humans.
"This is a historic day in the struggle for animal rights and in defense of our evolutionary comrades, which will doubtless go down in the history of humanity," said Pedro Pozas, Spanish director of the Great Apes Project. Read More
Spain has become the first nation to plunge off the cliff and grant human rights to apes. They use the logic that since they are “almost” human, they should be granted these rights. This is ridiculous, “almost” and “pretty close” shouldn’t cut it. I would hope that since these apes have been granted these rights that they will also start contributing to human society.
HSUS Tries to Blackmail Universities
New Front in Battle Over Studies of Animals
Activists take aim at nonresearch colleges
By JEFFREY BRAINARD
Far from the front lines of the nasty fight over laboratory-animal experiments at large research universities, activists are strategically drawing some teaching-oriented institutions into the same battle.
Amherst College, Fairfield University, Francis Marion University, and 10 other institutions, none of which are known for conducting animal experiments, recently signed a pledge not to subject any research animals to "severe" unrelieved pain or distress. The pledge was written by the Humane Society of the United States, which has sent it to a total of 301 presidents at similar institutions.
Signing the pledge was easy, said officials on some of those campuses, because no such research went on there. And that is just what the advocacy group is counting on: a wave of no-fuss pledge signings that will put pressure on larger universities, which do conduct extensive animal research, to follow suit. Read More
This is the same strategy that the HSUS has used to pass legislation to ban gestation and veal crates in Florida and Arizona. They start with those it affects the least to establish a precedent and then go from there. These universities are also feeling pressured to sign it, because the HSUS has promised not to go public with any infractions if they have signed the document. Doesn’t that sound like blackmail?
Activists take aim at nonresearch colleges
By JEFFREY BRAINARD
Far from the front lines of the nasty fight over laboratory-animal experiments at large research universities, activists are strategically drawing some teaching-oriented institutions into the same battle.
Amherst College, Fairfield University, Francis Marion University, and 10 other institutions, none of which are known for conducting animal experiments, recently signed a pledge not to subject any research animals to "severe" unrelieved pain or distress. The pledge was written by the Humane Society of the United States, which has sent it to a total of 301 presidents at similar institutions.
Signing the pledge was easy, said officials on some of those campuses, because no such research went on there. And that is just what the advocacy group is counting on: a wave of no-fuss pledge signings that will put pressure on larger universities, which do conduct extensive animal research, to follow suit. Read More
This is the same strategy that the HSUS has used to pass legislation to ban gestation and veal crates in Florida and Arizona. They start with those it affects the least to establish a precedent and then go from there. These universities are also feeling pressured to sign it, because the HSUS has promised not to go public with any infractions if they have signed the document. Doesn’t that sound like blackmail?
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
New Antimicrobial Developed
New Invention Effectively Kills Foodborne Pathogens In Minutes
ScienceDaily (June 25, 2008) — University of Georgia researchers have developed an effective technology for reducing contamination of dangerous bacteria on food. The new antimicrobial wash rapidly kills Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 on foods ranging from fragile lettuce to tomatoes, fruits, poultry products and meats. It is made from inexpensive and readily available ingredients that are recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The new technology, which has commercial application for the produce, poultry, meat and egg processing industries, is available for licensing from the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc., which has filed a patent application on the new technology. Read More
As always, we continually look to improve what is already the safest food supply in the world. This new antimicrobial technology shows great promise to being another tool that we can use. However, it will always be important that consumers still follow proper food handling guidelines.
ScienceDaily (June 25, 2008) — University of Georgia researchers have developed an effective technology for reducing contamination of dangerous bacteria on food. The new antimicrobial wash rapidly kills Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 on foods ranging from fragile lettuce to tomatoes, fruits, poultry products and meats. It is made from inexpensive and readily available ingredients that are recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The new technology, which has commercial application for the produce, poultry, meat and egg processing industries, is available for licensing from the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc., which has filed a patent application on the new technology. Read More
As always, we continually look to improve what is already the safest food supply in the world. This new antimicrobial technology shows great promise to being another tool that we can use. However, it will always be important that consumers still follow proper food handling guidelines.
PETA's Dark Side
PETA isn't all warm and fuzzy
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
- Greg Francek, Pine Grove
People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals has become a household name and is now so mainstream that its press releases and "animal action alerts" have begun to appear in scores of American newspapers, including the Ledger Dispatch.
With close to 1 million members and financial contributors, PETA is an influential and powerful non-profit organization that, on the surface, garners the sympathies of animal lovers from all walks of life. PETA has been a vocal advocate to end animal suffering and cruelty, which most would agree is a noble cause. The four areas that they focus their campaigns are: factory farms, animal/medical research laboratories, the entertainment industry and the clothing trade (fur coats, leather products). There is, however, a darker and more militant side to PETA. Read More
The dark side of PETA is one that they would rather you not be aware of because they would like to greatly alter the way we live. They encourage violence and place human health and well being at the bottom of their priority list.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
- Greg Francek, Pine Grove
People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals has become a household name and is now so mainstream that its press releases and "animal action alerts" have begun to appear in scores of American newspapers, including the Ledger Dispatch.
With close to 1 million members and financial contributors, PETA is an influential and powerful non-profit organization that, on the surface, garners the sympathies of animal lovers from all walks of life. PETA has been a vocal advocate to end animal suffering and cruelty, which most would agree is a noble cause. The four areas that they focus their campaigns are: factory farms, animal/medical research laboratories, the entertainment industry and the clothing trade (fur coats, leather products). There is, however, a darker and more militant side to PETA. Read More
The dark side of PETA is one that they would rather you not be aware of because they would like to greatly alter the way we live. They encourage violence and place human health and well being at the bottom of their priority list.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
BLM Against the Horse Slaughter Ban
The unbridled range
Proposed slaughter ban could unleash unwanted horses on public, private land
West of Hagerman, hidden in a dusty valley flanked by bluffs and within earshot of the U.S. Air Force's thunderous bombing ranges, tribes of multi-colored horses - led by warring studs - survive in a delicate balance.
They depend on sparse patches of cheatgrass and metal water troughs - provided by the Bureau of Land Management for the horses to share with grazing cattle, elk and antelopes. Birth control limits the horses to about 150 head.
You never hear about these horses unless your cattle graze on the range. Most Idahoans only see the nearly quarter-million horses resting in Idaho's stables, lolling next to tall haystacks, earning prizes at rodeos.
But if Congress finalizes a total ban on horse slaughter for human consumption, domesticated and wild horses could merge and spread over patchworks of private and public lands with catastrophic results, Idaho equine regulators and BLM officials say. Read More
The issue of horse slaughter continues to be at the forefront of many conversations. While those of us in agriculture can continue to find more problems relating to the ban, the HSUS can only say “that’s absurd”. It is very important that horse owners have the ability to manage their animals as is necessary and that we don’t go down this slippery slope of banning the slaughter of livestock.
Proposed slaughter ban could unleash unwanted horses on public, private land
West of Hagerman, hidden in a dusty valley flanked by bluffs and within earshot of the U.S. Air Force's thunderous bombing ranges, tribes of multi-colored horses - led by warring studs - survive in a delicate balance.
They depend on sparse patches of cheatgrass and metal water troughs - provided by the Bureau of Land Management for the horses to share with grazing cattle, elk and antelopes. Birth control limits the horses to about 150 head.
You never hear about these horses unless your cattle graze on the range. Most Idahoans only see the nearly quarter-million horses resting in Idaho's stables, lolling next to tall haystacks, earning prizes at rodeos.
But if Congress finalizes a total ban on horse slaughter for human consumption, domesticated and wild horses could merge and spread over patchworks of private and public lands with catastrophic results, Idaho equine regulators and BLM officials say. Read More
The issue of horse slaughter continues to be at the forefront of many conversations. While those of us in agriculture can continue to find more problems relating to the ban, the HSUS can only say “that’s absurd”. It is very important that horse owners have the ability to manage their animals as is necessary and that we don’t go down this slippery slope of banning the slaughter of livestock.
Mexican Gray Wolf
Wolf recovery failing as ranchers are left out of equation
Jun. 22, 2008
Aaaahhhoooooooo! The wolf howls as it stands over its recent kill of a calf. A leaf falls in the forest as another season changes from fall to winter, and a ranch family stands on its porch with a telemetry antenna to determine if their dogs are barking at a wolf approaching their home.
Two days later, they take one of their prized animals, an 8-year-old trained dog, to the veterinarian to stitch up a wound from an encounter with a wolf. This is real nature, an actual occurrence and what is happening under the current wolf-recovery program today. So, you can understand why ranching families in northeastern Arizona are concerned about the direction of the Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program.
The wolf-recovery program is failing. It is not failing because ranch families are protecting their homes, property and animals. It is failing because the reintroduction of a "top of the chain" predator, with mixed canine bloodlines (the current population of wolves has a 2 to 3 percent mixture of coyote ancestry) has become a political pawn for those who want to vilify or remove ranching families from the area. Read More
Farmers and ranchers are on the front lines when it comes to preserving wildlife. Any attempts at re-introducing species will be a failure if farmers and ranchers are not considered a stake holder in the process.
Jun. 22, 2008
Aaaahhhoooooooo! The wolf howls as it stands over its recent kill of a calf. A leaf falls in the forest as another season changes from fall to winter, and a ranch family stands on its porch with a telemetry antenna to determine if their dogs are barking at a wolf approaching their home.
Two days later, they take one of their prized animals, an 8-year-old trained dog, to the veterinarian to stitch up a wound from an encounter with a wolf. This is real nature, an actual occurrence and what is happening under the current wolf-recovery program today. So, you can understand why ranching families in northeastern Arizona are concerned about the direction of the Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program.
The wolf-recovery program is failing. It is not failing because ranch families are protecting their homes, property and animals. It is failing because the reintroduction of a "top of the chain" predator, with mixed canine bloodlines (the current population of wolves has a 2 to 3 percent mixture of coyote ancestry) has become a political pawn for those who want to vilify or remove ranching families from the area. Read More
Farmers and ranchers are on the front lines when it comes to preserving wildlife. Any attempts at re-introducing species will be a failure if farmers and ranchers are not considered a stake holder in the process.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Meat is not to Blame
Meat Habit is Fueling World Famine
Posted on: Friday, 20 June 2008, 09:00 CDT
Approximately 854 million people do not have enough to eat. Thirty-three countries are facing food crises, according to the World Bank, and food riots have recently erupted in Egypt, Haiti, Yemen, Malaysia and other poor nations. This is hard for most Americans to comprehend. The closest many of us will ever come to a food riot is when someone cuts in line for more nachos and hot dogs at the baseball-stadium concession stand.
But we need look no further than our own shores to figure out what's causing food crises overseas: While millions of people are starving, a billion more _ many of them Americans _ are overweight. Our addiction to meat is largely to blame for both problems. Read More
This article was written by PETA in an effort to further their agenda against animal agriculture. There are several things they fail to mention however. First, if we didn’t have livestock we wouldn’t be able to utilize much of the land resources available to us in this country. Next, the biggest reason for starving people has been politics. How often do we hear about food aid not making it to those who need it most because of foreign governments that won’t give it out. Finally, in the case of ruminant animals, such as cattle, we need them to convert undigestible plants into a form that humans can utilize.
Posted on: Friday, 20 June 2008, 09:00 CDT
Approximately 854 million people do not have enough to eat. Thirty-three countries are facing food crises, according to the World Bank, and food riots have recently erupted in Egypt, Haiti, Yemen, Malaysia and other poor nations. This is hard for most Americans to comprehend. The closest many of us will ever come to a food riot is when someone cuts in line for more nachos and hot dogs at the baseball-stadium concession stand.
But we need look no further than our own shores to figure out what's causing food crises overseas: While millions of people are starving, a billion more _ many of them Americans _ are overweight. Our addiction to meat is largely to blame for both problems. Read More
This article was written by PETA in an effort to further their agenda against animal agriculture. There are several things they fail to mention however. First, if we didn’t have livestock we wouldn’t be able to utilize much of the land resources available to us in this country. Next, the biggest reason for starving people has been politics. How often do we hear about food aid not making it to those who need it most because of foreign governments that won’t give it out. Finally, in the case of ruminant animals, such as cattle, we need them to convert undigestible plants into a form that humans can utilize.
Hunting Activists Convicted
Animal rights activists' convictions upheld
by Jim Lockwood/The Star-Ledger
The state Appellate Division has upheld municipal convictions against animal-rights activists who interfered with hunters during New Jersey's 2005 bear hunt.
In a decision released today, the Appellate Division affirmed prior rulings in Vernon Municipal Court and Superior Court in Newton that the activists, Angela Metler, Albert Kazemian and Janet Piszar, had harassed hunters, one of whom was an undercover police officer, by encircling them and hooting and hollering to keep bears away. Read More
Hunting has been under fire for some time now and these activists believe they have the right to harass hunters with no consequences to their actions. However, these activists found out they will have to pay the price. Hunting is an important means of managing wildlife and whether these activists realize it or not, wildlife need to be managed for greater health among all species involved.
by Jim Lockwood/The Star-Ledger
The state Appellate Division has upheld municipal convictions against animal-rights activists who interfered with hunters during New Jersey's 2005 bear hunt.
In a decision released today, the Appellate Division affirmed prior rulings in Vernon Municipal Court and Superior Court in Newton that the activists, Angela Metler, Albert Kazemian and Janet Piszar, had harassed hunters, one of whom was an undercover police officer, by encircling them and hooting and hollering to keep bears away. Read More
Hunting has been under fire for some time now and these activists believe they have the right to harass hunters with no consequences to their actions. However, these activists found out they will have to pay the price. Hunting is an important means of managing wildlife and whether these activists realize it or not, wildlife need to be managed for greater health among all species involved.
Houston Chronicle Editorial
Eat that?
Agriculture secretary's reassurance rings hollow in light of current industrial beef processing
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer recently assured Americans that USDA inspectors check "every single" processed American beef carcass. Charitably put, his statement is highly misleading. USDA inspections are perfunctory and fall far short of checks performed by other countries' meat watchdogs.
The issue arose after South Korea agreed this April to lift most of the restrictions it had placed on U.S. beef imports. That prompted intense protests by South Koreans who say they fear mad cow disease in U.S. beef. They want their government to negotiate a tougher deal or to scrap it.
In Texas last week touring meat processing plants, Secretary Schafer defended domestic meats as safe. Read More
There are never a shortage of people that like to say that some segments of agriculture are too big, move too fast, and are too cruel. What they fail to give us is what solution they would like to see. What chain speed would they like and how many animals are too many? This article seems to be a typical editorial because they make blanket claims against our industry about how we feed and raise our livestock without presenting any substantial reporting of specifics. The story of American agriculture is a great one and articles like this serve as a reminder of our duty to tell it.
Agriculture secretary's reassurance rings hollow in light of current industrial beef processing
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer recently assured Americans that USDA inspectors check "every single" processed American beef carcass. Charitably put, his statement is highly misleading. USDA inspections are perfunctory and fall far short of checks performed by other countries' meat watchdogs.
The issue arose after South Korea agreed this April to lift most of the restrictions it had placed on U.S. beef imports. That prompted intense protests by South Koreans who say they fear mad cow disease in U.S. beef. They want their government to negotiate a tougher deal or to scrap it.
In Texas last week touring meat processing plants, Secretary Schafer defended domestic meats as safe. Read More
There are never a shortage of people that like to say that some segments of agriculture are too big, move too fast, and are too cruel. What they fail to give us is what solution they would like to see. What chain speed would they like and how many animals are too many? This article seems to be a typical editorial because they make blanket claims against our industry about how we feed and raise our livestock without presenting any substantial reporting of specifics. The story of American agriculture is a great one and articles like this serve as a reminder of our duty to tell it.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Livestock & Flooding
Iowa farmer makes a sorrowful choice
By David Greising Tribune correspondent
2:42 AM CDT, June 18, 2008
OAKVILLE, Iowa - By the time a friend sped up the lane to Ron Lanz's farm Saturday evening—shouting that the Iowa River levee had blown—Lanz knew he faced a fateful decision: To save his own life, more than 800 of his hogs would have to die.
By instinct, Lanz shut the door on the semitrailer that was half-filled with hogs. He feared a wall of water might rush across his 450-acre farm any minute. Then Lanz jumped into the bed of his friend's pickup truck and rode for his life.I
t's a decision Lanz is having a hard time living with."It's devastating to leave those hogs behind," said Lanz, 36. "I don't like to think about it." Read More
If anyone ever questions the dedication of livestock producers, they only need to watch them during a time of crisis. Floods have been decimating many parts of the Midwest and producers have had to make many tough choices about how best to save the animals they care for. Hopefully the water will soon recede and these producers can begin putting their lives back together.
By David Greising Tribune correspondent
2:42 AM CDT, June 18, 2008
OAKVILLE, Iowa - By the time a friend sped up the lane to Ron Lanz's farm Saturday evening—shouting that the Iowa River levee had blown—Lanz knew he faced a fateful decision: To save his own life, more than 800 of his hogs would have to die.
By instinct, Lanz shut the door on the semitrailer that was half-filled with hogs. He feared a wall of water might rush across his 450-acre farm any minute. Then Lanz jumped into the bed of his friend's pickup truck and rode for his life.I
t's a decision Lanz is having a hard time living with."It's devastating to leave those hogs behind," said Lanz, 36. "I don't like to think about it." Read More
If anyone ever questions the dedication of livestock producers, they only need to watch them during a time of crisis. Floods have been decimating many parts of the Midwest and producers have had to make many tough choices about how best to save the animals they care for. Hopefully the water will soon recede and these producers can begin putting their lives back together.
Canadian Horse Slaughter Ban
Group calls for national ban on horse slaughter
Jordana Huber , Canwest News Service
Published: Wednesday, June 18, 2008
TORONTO - A group calling for a national ban on the slaughtering of horses released more documents and video footage Wednesday from inside a Saskatchewan processing facility as further evidence they said of the "inhumane" killing of horses.
The Canadian Horse Defence Coalition said more than a dozen Canadian Food Inspection Agency violations can be seen in hidden-camera footage taken at the Natural Valley Farms slaughter plant in Neudorf, Sask.
In a report entitled Black Beauty Betrayed, the coalition detailed concerns about improper transport and slaughter practices at the facility but suggest problems in the industry are widespread. Read More
A push has begun in Canada to ban the slaughter of horses in that country. Horse slaughter has increased 37% in 2007 due to the ban in the US. If Canada bans the harvesting of horses, you will see the even more problems in this country with abandoned and neglected horses.
Jordana Huber , Canwest News Service
Published: Wednesday, June 18, 2008
TORONTO - A group calling for a national ban on the slaughtering of horses released more documents and video footage Wednesday from inside a Saskatchewan processing facility as further evidence they said of the "inhumane" killing of horses.
The Canadian Horse Defence Coalition said more than a dozen Canadian Food Inspection Agency violations can be seen in hidden-camera footage taken at the Natural Valley Farms slaughter plant in Neudorf, Sask.
In a report entitled Black Beauty Betrayed, the coalition detailed concerns about improper transport and slaughter practices at the facility but suggest problems in the industry are widespread. Read More
A push has begun in Canada to ban the slaughter of horses in that country. Horse slaughter has increased 37% in 2007 due to the ban in the US. If Canada bans the harvesting of horses, you will see the even more problems in this country with abandoned and neglected horses.
Logging Research Protested
Logging started in Robinson Forest
By: Allie Garza
Posted: 6/19/08
After months of debate, sit-ins and meetings, logging has begun in Robinson Forest.
When UK College of Agriculture Dean Scott Smith announced that logging would begin last year, students and activists alike rallied together in efforts to halt the proposed Streamside Management Zone Project, in which logging would be a necessary component.
The project, conducted by the Department of Forestry, plans to analyze different techniques for protecting water quality during logging. By producing and collecting the data, researchers intend to find new ways to manage water resources in the state with a better and stronger criteria for timber harvesting. Read More
No matter the reason for an area being logged, some people will never be happy. This research project is aimed at finding the best logging techniques for protecting water quality. Trees are a fantastic renewable resource that are growing faster than we are harvesting them in this country. The information gathered from this project will only help us better manage this resource.
By: Allie Garza
Posted: 6/19/08
After months of debate, sit-ins and meetings, logging has begun in Robinson Forest.
When UK College of Agriculture Dean Scott Smith announced that logging would begin last year, students and activists alike rallied together in efforts to halt the proposed Streamside Management Zone Project, in which logging would be a necessary component.
The project, conducted by the Department of Forestry, plans to analyze different techniques for protecting water quality during logging. By producing and collecting the data, researchers intend to find new ways to manage water resources in the state with a better and stronger criteria for timber harvesting. Read More
No matter the reason for an area being logged, some people will never be happy. This research project is aimed at finding the best logging techniques for protecting water quality. Trees are a fantastic renewable resource that are growing faster than we are harvesting them in this country. The information gathered from this project will only help us better manage this resource.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Cash Reward Against Agriculture
Cash reward for an end to factory farms
Louise Hall June 15, 2008
A LEADING animal rights activist will give $25,000 to any person who can come up with a viable way to end factory farming in Australia.
The outspoken former corporate heavyweight Brian Sherman, the founder of animal rights group Voiceless, announced the incentive as part of a new round of grants for projects that improve the lives of Australian animals.
Speaking at the Vegan Expo at Sydney's Wharf 8 yesterday, Mr Sherman said the projects could include advertising or awareness campaigns, academic reports, education and lobbying to pressure industry and government to ban intensive piggeries, battery hens, broiler chickens and feedlots. Read More
Whenever you read about someone speaking of the horrors of the so-called factory farming, you have to wonder how they define what is and isn’t factory farming. How big is too big? Is there some magic number that you go over that makes you too big? No one ever seems to be able to answer these questions.
Louise Hall June 15, 2008
A LEADING animal rights activist will give $25,000 to any person who can come up with a viable way to end factory farming in Australia.
The outspoken former corporate heavyweight Brian Sherman, the founder of animal rights group Voiceless, announced the incentive as part of a new round of grants for projects that improve the lives of Australian animals.
Speaking at the Vegan Expo at Sydney's Wharf 8 yesterday, Mr Sherman said the projects could include advertising or awareness campaigns, academic reports, education and lobbying to pressure industry and government to ban intensive piggeries, battery hens, broiler chickens and feedlots. Read More
Whenever you read about someone speaking of the horrors of the so-called factory farming, you have to wonder how they define what is and isn’t factory farming. How big is too big? Is there some magic number that you go over that makes you too big? No one ever seems to be able to answer these questions.
Biotech Crops Gaining Approval
Brasher: Genetically engineered food getting 2nd look around world
Philip Brasher
Gannett News Service
Global food inflation has some people overseas taking another look at genetically engineered crops.
Biotech giants like Pioneer Hi-Bred and Monsanto have struggled for years to get into markets in Africa and Asia with varying degrees of success.
But there's evidence resistance to the technology may be easing, at least in part because of the skyrocketing price of commodities like corn, soybeans, rice and wheat.
South Korea, for example, recently issued its first approval for import of biotech corn for food.
"It's a change in course, basically," said Clive James, founder and chairman of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, a group that tracks the use of biotech crops.
"The decision was a very strong no before. It's now yes." Read More
Biotech crops have been the latest step in the history of humans trying to improve the plants they grow for food. As the world demands more food for an increasing population, biotech crops will play a very important role. The decreasing world food stocks seem to be changing the tune of those who have been fighting against the use of this technology.
Philip Brasher
Gannett News Service
Global food inflation has some people overseas taking another look at genetically engineered crops.
Biotech giants like Pioneer Hi-Bred and Monsanto have struggled for years to get into markets in Africa and Asia with varying degrees of success.
But there's evidence resistance to the technology may be easing, at least in part because of the skyrocketing price of commodities like corn, soybeans, rice and wheat.
South Korea, for example, recently issued its first approval for import of biotech corn for food.
"It's a change in course, basically," said Clive James, founder and chairman of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, a group that tracks the use of biotech crops.
"The decision was a very strong no before. It's now yes." Read More
Biotech crops have been the latest step in the history of humans trying to improve the plants they grow for food. As the world demands more food for an increasing population, biotech crops will play a very important role. The decreasing world food stocks seem to be changing the tune of those who have been fighting against the use of this technology.
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